NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi has once again proved that he can pull out big wins, this time by leading BJP to a historic victory in the Delhi assembly elections.
This triumph not only marks BJP’s return to office in the Capital after a gap of 26 years, but it also shatters the “myth” that PM Modi’s appeal is confined to national elections.
The Delhi polls were seen as a litmus test for Modi’s influence beyond the national stage as the saffron party didn’t project any face and the PM was the sole mascot.
Delhi Election Results 2025
His critics had long argued that while Modi could secure a landslide for BJP in national elections, his charm was less effective in state-level contests due to localised issues and regional identities. However, the results from Delhi tell a different story. BJP, under Modi’s leadership, has not only won but has done so decisively, clinching 48 out of 70.
Modi’s campaign strategy in Delhi was multi-faceted, focusing on development, governance and a personal connection with the electorate. Unlike previous elections where regional leaders often took precedence, Modi himself became BJP’s mascot for these polls.
His rallies were not just about national achievements such as the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya or the abrogation of Article 370 but also addressed Delhi-specific issues like pollution, infrastructure gaps and the cleaning of Yamuna.
This victory underscores Modi’s ability to translate his national narrative into local victories, blending his overarching vision for India with the immediate needs of Delhi’s residents. His speeches, particularly the one at the BJP headquarters post-victory, emphasised building Delhi as a “modern city” with a focus on urban infrastructure, mobility and heritage preservation, resonating with the urban voter’s aspirations.
The political narrative around Modi’s electoral “invincibility” has been a subject of debate.
In the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP under Modi swept all seven seats in Delhi, reinforcing his image as a national leader with strong voter appeal. However, the Delhi assembly elections of 2015 and 2020 saw AAP under Arvind Kejriwal clinch victories, fuelling the narrative that Modi’s influence might not extend to regional politics. Saturday’s result challenges that notion, showing that Modi’s personal guarantees and BJP’s campaign strategy can indeed sway voters at both levels.
Moreover, this victory comes at a time when BJP’s national popularity had shown signs of plateauing after the 2024 general elections, where it fell short of an outright majority.
The Delhi win, coming close on the heels of Haryana and Maharashtra, is seen as a rejuvenation of Modi’s political aura, proving that his leadership can still sway voters in regional contests.
BJP’s strategy also involved highlighting governance failures of AAP, especially when it came to allegations of corruption against its leaders, which played a significant role in swaying public opinion. Modi’s promise to make Delhi a part of the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision, aligning local governance with national development goals, was well-received.
The Delhi outcome not only dispels the myth about Modi’s limited regional appeal but also sets a precedent for how national leaders can engage with state politics. It’s a testament to Modi’s strategy of personal engagement, leveraging national success stories, and addressing local issues, making him a formidable
